Trout Challenge 2024
March 16 @ 6:30 am - 2:30 pm
EVENT INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL RULES
REGISTRATION & TOURNAMENT IDENTIFIER:
Registration will be open through the TourneyX Pro app up until 8:00 PM Central Time, March 15, 2024. The 3-digit tournament identifier code will be released in the TourneyX Pro app at 8:00 PM Central Time on March 15, 2024.
FORMAT: The longest stringer of up to five speckled trout.
ENTRY FEES:
The entry fee is $50.00 per participant.
$30.00 of each entry fee will be paid out to cash prizes, $10 of each entry fee is set aside for the championship pot, and the remainder of each fee pays for TourneyX and PayPal fees.
CATCH, PHOTO, SUBMIT (CPS) FORMAT:
Bayou Coast is running this tournament as a “catch, photo, submit” (CPS) tournament on the TourneyX Pro app. As compared to “CPR” tournaments, there is no requirement for the angler to “release” their fish back into the water. However, anglers are required to follow the strictest interpretation of Louisiana law regarding the keeping of fish as it relates to size and creel limit for all species.
BOUNDARIES:
All anglers must launch and retrieve their kayaks from two designated launches. The boundaries shall include all publicly accessible waters from those two launches. The two designated launches for this tournament include the Leeville public launch and the Golden Meadow public launch.
TIME:
The official launch & lines in time is 6:30 AM. You may launch your kayak prior to 6:30 AM and stage within the immediate area of the launch, but DO NOT travel forth or begin fishing UNTIL 6:30 AM. REMINDER: Be courteous, DO NOT BLOCK LAUNCHES. Anglers can fish until 2:30 PM, at that time anglers must immediately stop fishing. Photo submission will be open until 3:00 PM. Any photos taken after 2:30 PM will be rejected. The Awards ceremony will start promptly after photo submission time is completed and pictures have been approved.
The TourneyX leaderboard will be turned off during the entirety of the day, we encourage everyone to come to the awards ceremony! You must be present to claim a prize(not including qualification spot/aoy points), unless previously discussed, and approved by the tournament director!
ANGLER OF THE YEAR / CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION:
The top 15 anglers on the leaderboard of Trout Challenge are eligible for qualification to the BCKFC Championship in November. To fully qualify, an angler must also have an additional paid entry to one of the other 3 qualification tournaments and be a paid club member in good standing with BCKFC.
Points are awarded for Angler of the Year at each tournament with 1st receiving 300 points, 2nd receiving 299 points, 3rd receiving 298 points, and so on down the line. To receive points, an angler must submit at least a single legal fish and be a BCKFC member in good standing. The Angler of the Year points total represents the 4 qualifying tournaments plus the BCKFC Championship, less a drop of the worst placing tournament for each individual angler.
At the end of all 4 qualifying tournaments, at least the top 2 anglers in angler of the year points (who had not qualified on the podium) will gain entry to the championship via wildcard. If there are still less than 40 anglers qualified for the championship after the initial 2 wildcards are earned, up to 3 more wildcard places may be awarded to the next highest Angler of the Year points earners (who had not qualified on the podium) so that a minimum of 40 anglers qualify for the championship.
TOURNAMENT OBJECTIVE:
- 5 Speckled Trout, minimum length is 12.00”, no maximum length
The total cumulative length of the fish submitted decides the winner. The longest total length wins, regardless if the angler has one, two, or three fish. In other words, a three fish stringer does not trump a two fish stringer, if the two fish stringer is longer than the three fish stringer. In the event of a tie, the angler with the longest fish will place higher. If the first fish does not break the tie, the anglers next largest fish will be used, and so on down their list of submissions. In the event that the anglers are still tied, then the angler who submitted their final fish first that is used in their stringer will win.
CALCUTTAS:
Mule trout will be $5.00. Winner take all!
MULE TROUT: Longest speckled trout. In the event of a tie, the first fish submitted wins.
AWARDS & CEREMONY:
The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at ~3:30 p.m. at Me-Maw’s Restaurant located on-site of the Galliano Inn and will be streamed on Facebook Live.
$30.00 of each entry fee is split to pay out the individual awards.
1-19 Paid Entries = One (1) place paid out
20-29 Paid Entries = Two (2) places paid out
30-39 Paid Entries = Three (3) places paid out
40-49 Paid Entries = Four (4) places paid out
50-59 Paid Entries = Five (5) places paid out
60-69 Paid Entries = Six (6) places paid out
ETC
Minimum payout = $50 with cash differentials provided by Bayou Coast.
APPROVED MEASURING DEVICES:
Ketch Boards – All models, both plastic and metal, are accepted WITH EXCEPTION to the hinged 48” model.
Check-it Stik Kayak Elite Series – This specific model only will be accepted
These boards are expected to be clean and all lines/numbers clearly visible to the judges who view submitted pictures.
PHOTO SUBMISSION RULES / INFO:
“TourneyX Pro” is the official app and tournament scoring method for Bayou Coast CPS Tournaments. It is available for Apple iOS and Android operating system smartphones. Make sure to download the PRO version as it is the only one that works. For more information on how to use the TourneyX Pro APP please visit https://tourneyx.com/app/help/ for information on the app, as well as the TourneyX Youtube page for some of their video tutorials.
The following photo submission rules are as follows:
– Photos of fish may be submitted from 6:30 AM until 3:00 PM
– The live leaderboard will remain off for the entirety of the event, and only turned back on at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.
– The fish must be on a tournament approved measuring device, the body centered between the rails, and alive.
– Caught fish must be photographed before your next cast. This means an angler must bring a caught fish into their kayak and take a picture before they begin fishing again. A fish that the tournament directors suspect is dead due to being out of the water too long may be rejected. Examples of issues that may result in a disqualified fish are faded color, no slime coat, shriveled tail, etc.
– The fish must be facing to the left with the tail to the right and the belly of the fish facing the angler.
– The fish must be submitted at 0.25” incremental measurements
– If the tail is not obviously touching or crossing a measurement line, it will be rounded down to the next lower quarter inch length.
– The nose must be pressed up against the post of the measuring device. Please ensure that shadows do not obscure the nose and post. If the judge cannot see that the nose is clearly up against the post, the angler will face a 0.5” length deduction
– You can submit pictures of as many fish as you like; however, you can only submit one picture of the fish you want judged. In the event that a submitted fish picture is denied, you can request that the judge review another picture(s) of the same fish
– FOR SPECKLED TROUT, minimum length is 12.00”, no maximum length. The mouth must be entirely closed with the nose pressed firmly against the post of an angler’s measuring board. If the mouth is open at all, a 0.5” length deduction will be taken.
– There may be no lures or fish retaining tools in the fish’s mouth for the picture or the angler will face a 0.5” length reduction. This reduction may be inclusive or in addition to the open mouth penalty at the judge’s discretion.
– No other tools, devices, materials etc. may be touching or under the fish for any reason
– The mouth, eye, and edge of tail must be visible for the picture to be accepted, with the tail flat on the measuring board. The angler is not allowed to place their hand or fingers under the gill plate of the fish.
– The top lobe of the tail of your fish must be inside the boundaries of your board. If using a Check It-Stik, the top lobe must be over the lines on the flat (bottom) portion of your board, and not over the slanted lip on the sides. Judges will make their best attempt to score the length of the fish in relation to visible numbers and lines which the tail clearly crosses.
– The picture must be taken overhead and not at an extreme angle.
– Pictures will only be accepted if they include original metadata which contains GPS coordinates. Bayou Coast retains all metadata information which may be reviewed by a single designated tournament director in the event of a valid location or time-based protest as spelled out later in the rules.
– The 3-digit tournament identifier code must be visible in the picture (written on a card or the back of your hand).
– If the judge deems your picture to be inauthentic or otherwise too problematic to accept, it will be rejected. Appeals may be made to the tournament directors as described below in the protests section. All submissions are subject to final review by the tournament director. If the tournament director overrules the judge on a submission, the angler will have the opportunity to submit another picture of the same fish or a replacement fish before the standings will finalized.
– Following completion of the tournament and awards ceremony, anglers may make a formal written request that their entry is deleted from TourneyX. Doing so will delete all of the fish pictures, metadata, GPS, and statistics from the angler’s TourneyX account. This means these pictures/metadata/GPS will no longer be accessible to anyone including the angler or tournament directors. This is a permanent irreversible decision. Making this request will not disqualify the angler from qualifying for awards in this tournament.
GENERAL RULES:
PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Minors are eligible to participate with a parent or legal guardian signature on the release form. All participants represent that they are physically and mentally competent and fit and able to participate. By entering, all participants agree to assume all risks of personal injury, death, and damage to or loss of property and further agree to indemnify and hold BCFKC, its officers, members, agents, and sponsors harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action resulting directly or indirectly from participation.
FISHING LICENSE: All anglers are required to have a valid Louisiana, Fresh and Salt water Fishing license.
KAYAK/WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS:
-Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, or pole.
-Vessel that the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and canoes. NO soloskiffs or vessels marketed at skiffs allowed.
-No “homemade” kayaks, sailboats, johnboats, pirogues, coracles, rowboats, dinghies, skiffs, float tubes, inflatable rafts or rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac), pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft or similar.
-The use of a manual or motorized anchor system is permitted.
-Mother shipping, tethering, holding or any transportation coordination with a non-competitor is strictly prohibited.
-Contestants are allowed to wade fish or fish off the bank but ONLY as long as the angler remains within 100’ of their LAUNCHED paddle craft. Launched means your kayak is partly in fishable water, not a parking lot puddle.
MOTOR ELIGIBILITY:
-Anglers who are age 60 or older at the time of event are allowed the use of an electric motor. The Tournament Director must be notified ahead of time if you plan to use a motor. Angler will be required to submit proof of age, kayak and motor type, and registration numbers to be eligible.
-Anglers who have a physical disability and can provide proof of disability may also request a waiver to use an electric motor. The Tournament Director must be notified ahead of time if you plan to use a motor and a waiver must be requested from the board.
-Electric Motor Propelled kayaks must meet the following requirements to be approved:
-Electric motor must be attached to the kayak in a safe manner for operation.
-An electric motor used to propel a watercraft may not exceed the lesser of (a.) manufacturer’s labeled Maximum HP/Thrust Capacity, (b.) 3 HP, or (c.) 155 foot-pound thrust.
-Competitors must comply with all boating regulations pertaining to motorized kayak/electric-propulsion watercraft registration, use, and operating restrictions for the designated fishing area.
-No more than one electric motor may be attached to a kayak regardless of combined horsepower/thrust/power rating.
-Motors with dual props operated by a single power source are permissible as long as the unit is manufactured and sold as a single unit.
-Vessel must be 9’ minimum and shorter than 18’.
-Vessel that the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks, Standup paddleboards (SUP) and Canoes. NO soloskiffs or vessels marketed at skiffs allowed.
-Other watercraft specifically approved as exceptions in advance of competition by the BCKFC Board
-Catamaran style personal fishing vessels complying with all other regulations will be eligible.
-No “Homemade” Kayaks, Sailboats, Jon boats, pirogues, coracles, rowboats, dinghies, skiffs, float tubes, inflatable rafts, or rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac), pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft, or similar.
-Mothershipping, tethering/holding, or any transportation coordination with competitors or non-competitors is strictly prohibited.
-By officially entering, contestants agree to submit their kayak to an inspection by BCKFC personnel.
PRIVATE LAUNCHES & PRIVATE FISHING AREAS: Anglers must launch from publicly accessible launch locations. There is an exception that an angler may launch from private property as long as it is not further than ½ mile from the nearest publicly accessible launch location. Combat launches are allowed so long as all anglers have the legal right to launch from that location. Fishing behind gated areas of the marsh is not allowed unless the angler has arranged for all other participants to also fish the area that day AND has made that possibility known to all by posting appropriate information on our forums at least one week in advance.
WATER COURTESY / ENCROACHMENT: Do your best not to disturb someone else’s fishing area, by encroachment, or noise. An angler officially establishes his/her fishing area by having their craft anchored in place. If you come upon an angler in an egress area, as quietly as you can, ask which side he or she would like you to cross at. A good rule of thumb is that if you can both cast to a common point you’re too close. Respect others and use the golden rule.
PROTESTS: All protests must be written and submitted electronically (text/email/direct message from social media) within 30 minutes of the photo submission deadline to be considered. The tournament director is the final authority on deciding the merits/outcomes of a protest. All anglers are encouraged to report cheating.
CHEATING/FOUL PLAY: All anglers are encouraged to report violations. Cheating and contest fraud in a fishing tournament is a felony crime in the state of Louisiana. Bayou Coast will enforce a zero-tolerance policy with regard to cheating.
POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: All participants, by signing up, agree to take a polygraph examination if requested. Any participant can be asked to submit to a polygraph examination. No explanation shall be required from the hosts of the tournament as to why a specific individual is asked to submit to a polygraph examination. Refusal to submit to or failure of a polygraph examination will result in disqualification from the tournament, forfeiture of any and all prizes / awards, and potential banishment from all future Bayou Coast events. No refunds for tournament fees will be granted for person(s) refusing to submit to or failing a polygraph examination.
RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE: A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue are part of the entry form. It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities. Please DO NOT let your competitive nature push you into doing dangerous things. You must agree to the Waiver to participate. The Waiver is in the online registration page linked below. BE SAFE, BE SEEN, AND WEAR YOUR PFD!
DEPTH FINDERS: Depth finders / fish finders are allowed.
BAITS: Only artificial baits are allowed. Commercially produced scented baits and attractants are also allowed.
COMMUNICATION: No electronic communication with non-registered anglers during tournament hours, unless not fishing related (your spouse/kids, work, etc). No pre-arranged coordination with any non-registered anglers on the water for the purpose of scouting or locating fish during tournament hours.
PFD REQUIREMENT: You must properly wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while afloat in your watercraft during all Bayou Coast events. PFD’s must be worn outside of the angler’s outermost layer of clothing. Failure to comply with this rule during competition could result in disqualification from the tournament. Disqualification will be determined by the Tournament Director based on investigation of any specific incident. PFD’s may only be briefly removed on the water for the purpose of adding, removing, or adjusting clothing while an angler is stationary and not actively fishing.
RULE CHANGES: Interpretation of rules is exclusively left to the Tournament Directors and Bayou Coast Officers. The decisions of this group are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Please do your part in not providing a reason to place them in a position where they must make rulings, decisions, etc. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and when in doubt…do the right thing.
LEGAL FISH: Each participant must catch their own fish. You may not give fish to another participant. You may not net a fish for another (adult) participant. Youths should hook and retrieve their own catch. A parent/guardian may net fish for them and may handle the fish once it is netted (including pictures in CPS events). In CPS events, anglers (participant or not) may not aid in taking pictures of fish in any way.
PRESERVATION of FISH: For weigh in events, “Air drying” of fish or the tails of redfish is NOT allowed. All parts of all fish should be placed on ice and maintained for freshness. Fish will only be accepted for the weigh-in if they are in a cooler bag, ice chest or other appropriate container that also contains ice. The entire fish should be in the container. Do not appear at the weigh-in with fish that are on a stringer and are not iced in a proper container or bag.
Salt may not be added to fish bags.
Only authorized persons will be allowed in the weigh-in station. Please try not to distract these volunteers while they go about their tasks. Weighed / Entered fish may or may not be returned as per the weigh-master’s discretion. The largest fish will be determined by weight. In the event of a tie, the first contestant to have signed in will be considered the winner while the other contestant will be dropped to the next position.
Fish will be bent, loosened and manipulated before being measured with a pinched tail. Tails of trout and flounder will be manually pinched to obtain maximum length as per the instructions found in the Louisiana Fishing Regulations, 2023 pamphlet. Tails of larger redfish will be pinched using the standardized tool attached to the measuring board, which, if needed and used, will be moved to the 26.5” line to pinch the tail of larger redfish.
DRONE/UAS USAGE: Tournament participants are not allowed to use unmanned aircraft systems (drones) during the tournament day(or official practice days) to scout for fish, spy on other anglers, or any other means that may be viewed as benefiting/advancing their fishing.
WEATHER: Tournament days may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. The decision to shorten or to cancel will be left totally to the discretion of the Tournament Director. A 4-hour period shall constitute a day of fishing.
REFUND POLICY: There will be no refunds available. Should the event date change for any reason, an announcement will be made, and a refund grace period allowed for anglers who cannot make the new date.